2013 Outlook - Colorado

Coming off a 3-10 year in his first year as HC, in a brand new conference nonetheless, Jon Embree enters 2013 with a very young team.  This will present some challenges for him, but this Colorado squad has some nice pieces in place to begin to build around.  Let's take a look.



Starting at QB this season should be Texas transfer, SO Connor Wood.  Wood is a very highly touted prospect who brings a lot of talent.  He is young though, and unaccomplished as a QB at the collegiate level, so it may take a little time before we really see what this kid is made of.  His starting RB is another youngster, in the diminutive SO, Tony Jones.  Quick and agile, Jones shows the ability to both run the ball, and catch well out of the backfield.  The receiving corp is another very young group, featuring 2 SOs and a rFR.  With all of the top skill players being sophomores, it is hard to imagine a year without a lot of ups and downs.  But it can bode very well for this team in another year or two, as all of these guys have the chance to develop together.  Assisting with their development will be a fairly experienced o-line in front.  JR OT David Bakhtiari is the unit's best player, and with a little more development could become a factor in the 2014 NFL draft process.  Also exciting for the boys up front is SO Daniel Munyer, another young, but talented kid to build around.

The defense is definitely considerably more experienced.  The four down linemen will be led by SR DT Will Pericak.  He is not the most penetrating DT teams will face, but he is very strong at the point of attack, and if he continues to develop, will have to be accounted for.  The linebackers have two guys who really standout. SR OLB Jon Major is this team's leader, and he returns from injury this year with something to prove.  Not only will he be this team's heart, but he will continue to serve as a mentor and role model to many of the younger guys.  SR MLB Douglas Rippy is another nice player who can be a difference maker on this defense.  The secondary is not outstanding, but they do have two guys who I like.  SO CB Eric Henderson will be in his second year as a starter, and he has some nice upside to his game.  The most exciting player in this defensive backfield however is JR S Terrel Smith, who is not even projected to start.  Smith is an incredible tackler, and despite not being a starter, should see a lot of on-field action this season.

Although the prospects for the Buffaloes during 2013 don't look overly promising, there is the possibility of a bright future in Colorado.  They have some good young talent, many of who are entering the SO season, so it may be another year or so, but Jon Embree should be excited about the possibilities.